WHAT DO THESE STORIES HAVE IN COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

WHAT DO THESE STORIES HAVE IN COMMON?

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EPIC HERO • • • courage (both physical and moral) physical strength skill in battle faithfulness in cause, love, or quest honesty and a sense of fair play cleverness in devising a way out of a tight spot willingness to sacrifice for his cause ability to lead other men, hold their loyalty, and earn a significant place in history human, has character flaws

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EPIC • • • physically impressive hero of national or international historical importance a vast setting involving much of the known world and sometimes the land of the dead as well action such as a quest or journey taken in search of something of value evidence of supernatural at work glorification of the hero at the end a rootedness in a specific culture and society invocation of the muse Homeric simile begins “in media res” – in the middle of things extended formal speeches epithets – mnemonic devices or phrases repeated over and over “balanced ship” “grey eyed goddess”

Take five minutes of silence after the tardy bell to… • Consider why Rafferty believes modern society is so confounded by the epic. Do you agree or disagree. Be able to articulate your points. • Find evidence of three points Rafferty makes in comparing modern and ancient conceptions of the epic. • According to the Dauten article, why are writing, positive affirmations, and communicating so important? • How might Dauten and Rafferty characterize our society when it comes to emotion and its expression?